Rheinmetall Joins Canadian TAPV Project

Oct. 31, 2012 - 02:31PM
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BONN — Rheinmetall will become contractor on the Canadian Forces Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle (TAPV) project under a 160 million euro ($207 million) contract signed with Textron Systems Canada.

Rheinmetall Canada, the Canadian subsidiary of the Düsseldorf, Germany-based company, will earn 120 million euros during the TAPV program’s production phase, performing the final assembly and test of the vehicles. It will also integrate subsystems, such as the remotely controlled weapon station, the vehicle navigation system and the driver vision enhancement system.

The production phase is expected to span from July 2014 to March 2016.

When fielded, Rheinmetall Canada will provide in-service support (ISS) for the entire TAPV fleet at the same facility, earning another 40 million euros. ISS will start with the initial operational capability when the first 47 vehicles are delivered, which is planned for 2014, and is expected to end in 2021, five years after the last vehicle is delivered.

“This partnership with Textron Systems is of strategic importance to Rheinmetall Canada,” said Rheinmetall Canada’s president and CEO, Andreas Knackstedt. “We are extremely pleased to work with Textron Systems delivering state of the art equipment to the Army, and value for taxpayers’ money, while creating highly skilled jobs in Canada.”

Rheinmetall Canada will also fulfill a portion of Textron’s participation in Canada’s Industrial and Regional Benefits (IRB) policy arising from the government’s purchase of 500 Textron TAPV.

The Textron TAPV team was selected in June 2012 to manufacture 500 vehicles with an option for up to 100 more. The team also includes Kongsberg Protech Systems Canada and EODC — Engineering Office Deisenroth Canada.

As the prime contractor, Ottawa-based Textron Systems Canada will provide the overall program and configuration management, act as design authority for change management, coordinate the vehicle integration activities by Canadian subcontractors, and manage the ISS contract. It will also implement a pan-Canadian IRB program designed to bring new expertise and opportunities to Canadian companies.